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Sen. Ted Kennedy, the lion of the senate and the youngest and last surviving brother of the legendary political dynasty heralded as a modern-day Camelot, has died after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. He was 77.

During his eight terms in the senate representing Massachusetts, Kennedy rose to become the Democratic Party’s most powerful and eloquent legislators praised for his unyieldingly liberal positions on education, healthcare, immigration and wage reform.

“I’ve been fortunate in my life to grow up in an extraordinary family and to have a front row seat at many key events in our nations history,” he said late last year.

His seniority and the mystique of being a Kennedy made him a kingmaker in party politics, and his imprimatur on a campaign often changed the dynamics of any race.

He is survived by his wife, Victoria Reggie, and children, Edward Jr., Patrick and Kara Anne.